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1/15/11 Still Getting Adjusted

Still Getting Adjusted

So, I’m 2 weeks into the new year and I’m struggling with the “negative out, positive in” concept that I was trying to adhere to. I guess the good thing is that I’m aware. I’m more aware now than I was before when negative thoughts come to mind. Unfortunately, I’m not always able to reel myself in when something is going on, but I’m aware. So, I guess I’m taking baby steps, day by day, one step at a time, etc., you get the picture.

As I mentioned before, my son is growing and maturing rapidly. As of yesterday’s physical, he is 5’5 1/2″ (at age 11). That’s 4 inches in a year. Per the doctor, he’s in early puberty (duh), which accounts for the sudden shift in attitude, temperament, and emotions. The clothes that I bought for this school year are already too small. He has become “Mr. Popular” in school, and he now has a sudden interest in his looks and clothes, which means I have to find a way to buy all new school clothes (including the under clothes). It’s like I blink and he grows. I just want to slow the blinking down for a bit. He want’s to be in a dozen activities, of which I have told him we are taking a “financial break” for a few months so he can’t be in anything now. To my surprise, he understood and did not give me a hard time about it. He seems to understand my efforts, and that makes me proud. I don’t want him to be overly concerned with the household finances, but I do want him to be aware that nothing is free and there has to be limits, and he kind of gets it. Thank God.

Now, it would be nice if I could inform the “co-parent” and get some assistance with the clothing and activities thing, but that is still being handled by the State, and as I mentioned before, they are not doing much of anything. So, I’ll keep doing what single parents all around are doing, I’ll make it work. That’s what I do. No matter the consequences, I’ll flip this, jump that, run around here to get to there, and I’ll make it work out. He’ll get some new under garments, pants, and shoes, we’ll find a way to make the shirts last a bit longer, I’m reconfiguring my budget to get him back in water polo by the upcoming season, and voila, it’s handled. The positive: The look in his eyes when he says, “Thanks Mom” is priceless. I wouldn’t want to miss that moment for anything. When it’s all said and done, we are, positively, blessed, and there isn’t anything negative about that.